ROUND 16 vs FITZROY / MAZENOD

7th August 2008

SENIORS WIN SPIRITED GAME OVER FITZROY REDS

 

On Saturday, Old Mentonians hosted Fitzroy Reds, keen to avenge the 100 point drubbing from earlier in the year out at Brunswick St oval, Fitzroy. Prior to the game, both sides were equal on points together with Old Geelong with the Panthers outside the 4 on %. We now find ourselves in 4th spot and a game clear of Fitzroy.

 

We st art ed slowly as Fitzroy used the ball better around the ground and out of the centre to take a handy 3 goal lead. McCloskey again was marking everything across half back before we bounced back with a few of our own to Banksy and another to Biggsy as the Reds headed into qtr time with a 7 point lead.

 

The second qu arter saw our running game st art to function well, with 3 goals to Louie Mitchell, Thomo and Wiltshire. Wilton was running well on a wing and and Chicken good contributors while Fitzroy managed 3 of their own to lead by a solitary point at the half.  We continued our good play in the third qu art er, mounting many attacks which ended up with Banksy nailing 3 goals. Skipper Justin Costello was injured right on the 3 qtr time siren as McCloskey took the free and slotted it to give us a 25 point 3 qtr time lead.

 

Same as last week where we knew that if they worked hard that we would be rewarded with the four points. Fitzroy scored the first 2 before Thomo put the game away as we ran out 26 point winners.

 

Brent Fairbanks kicked 5 up forward and was a real focal point with the absence of CHF Cochrane. Norton, Prowse, Graham and B.Carroll around the ground and Palmer and McCloskey down back were fine contributors.

The final two games for the year see us again at home next week to tackle 8th placed Prahran who will be desperate to win to climb out of the relegation stakes. Interesting to note Prahran play 9th placed Aquinas in the last game! Our last game for the season will see us travel to Albert Park to tackle the 7-9 South Melb Districts who are not going up or down. 

 

Injury report - Capt Justin Costello was taken by ambulance to The Alfred as his condition deteriorated in the last qu arter. At the hospital later it was confirmed that he had broken his C1 vertebrae is his neck. Cossie is now in a halo neck brace and was checked out of the hopsital on Tuesday. He's in good spirits and in a positive mindframe. The entire club wish him a speedy recovery!

 

OLD MENTONIANS                 3.2       7.4       12.7      16.11-107

 

FITZROY REDS                        4.3       7.5       8.6       12.9-81

 

Goals: B. Fairbanks 5, Biggs 3, Thompson 3, Wiltshire 2, Moon, Mitchell, McCloskey.

 

Best: Norton, McCloskey, Graham, Palmer, Prowse, B.Carroll

 

 

RESERVES: 10 GOAL WIN OVER TOP OF THE LADDER FITZROIY REDS

 

On the back of last week’s disappointing result, the last thing the team probably thought they needed was to face the top of the ladder Fitzroy Reds. However, this group of young Panthers has shown throughout the year that they are prepared to face all challenges, and thought that beating the league leaders was the best way to amend for last week’s effort. Further motivation was the fact that Panther legend Mat Elliot was playing his 200th game for the Club.

 

Within 5 minutes of the 1st bounce we had conceded 3 straight goals. Things could not have been worse. The Fitzroy boys gained every clearance, moved the ball forward with little or no pressure, and converted their chances. On the side lines panic was setting in, however to the Panthers great credit, we did not need to wait until the 1st break to try and turn things around. Led by some senior players in defense, namely Mat Elliot & Dave Alexander, we began to stop the ball going forward, and from there began to set up our own attacks.

 

Cam Duncan, Bernie Coghlan, Rus Goulding, Dale Messina & Danny Fielder started to get their hands on the ball, brake through tackles and kick long and accurately, giving our forwards a chance to kick a winning score. The whole team lifted around this group, tackled hard, and shut down the space that Fitzroy had used so well in the early part of the quarter. Amazingly, considering the start, we had bridged the gap to just 5 points by the 1st break. The highlight of the turn around was Shane Alexander’s “Mark of the Year” and conversion into the strong breeze.

 

We had now set the scene, and knew exactly how we needed to play to ensure the desired result. With hard work, tackling, gut running and most importantly, accountability, we would be able to send the Fitzroy boys home with their tales between their legs. We asked all 22 players to step up to the challenge, and to a man, they did. We didn’t give an inch, and with the aid of a good breeze, and the usual maneuvering and converting up forward by Tony Bournon we increased the lead to 16 points at half time.

 

After the main break we simply squeezed the life out of Fitzroy, and they soon dropped off the pace. Once this happened we found it easier to move the ball around the ground, having 21 scoring shots in the 2nd half and scoring 10 goals 11 behinds. Every player had an impact, including Steve Campbell coming off the bench and kicking 3 goals, and David Forsythe proving very strong in defence. We ran out comfortable winners by 10 goals, and made it a great day for Mat Elliot to remember playing his  milestone game.

 

Next week sees us take on Prahran who are 5th on the ladder and need to win to keep their finals chances alive. There is no rest for the Panthers, and a win here will guarantee us 4th spot, and a huge and exciting month ahead.

 

OLD MENTONIANS                 3.1       7.6       12.11    17.17-119

 

FITZROY REDS                        4.0       5.2       8.5       9.5-59

 

Goal Kickers: T. Bournon 7, S. Campbell 3, M. Lumsden 2, S. Alexander 2, B. Coghlan, M. Lawes, R. Goulding
Best Players: R. Goulding, D. Field, M. Elliott, D. Messina , D. Alexander, T. Bournon

 

UNDER 19s: THRILLER OVER MAZENOD

 

The Under 19’s played their last home game for the season against Mazenod, and what a great way to celebrate, with a terrific three point win over Mazenod.  For the past three or four weeks, we have shown great improvement and the spirit amongst the players has been fantastic.   Every player has contributed to the cause and this was the case again yesterday.  The courage and determination of all of our players was fantastic, with James Fisher, Daniel Hull and Daniel Alexander leading the way

 

The game started a fierce pace, with three goals in the first minute – two to them and one to us.  We had plenty of the footy and with Cam Labrooy continuing his great form, driving the ball forward from the wing, we were able to match Mazenod in a good quarter of footy.  Jarrod Lumsden started at centre half forward, and used his strength and experience to advantage to make the most of his opportunities, kicking three goals for the quarter.  Unfortunately we lost Matt Christopoulos early in the quarter, and we missed his drive around the ground.  Luckily, Golly was to return late in the game and played a great part in the thrilling final quarter.

 

The second quarter was a fairly even struggle, with Mazenod realising that this would not be a walk in the park, and that the Panthers had come to play.  Mazenod managed to extend their lead to eight points at half time.  Again it was wayward kicking which let us down, kicking two goals five for the quarter.

 

We held Mazenod well in the third quarter and took the lead half way through the quarter.  Lumpy was again the main target, and he was well supported by Ross Howard, who roved the pack well to snap a great goal to give us the lead.  We dropped our guard late in the quarter, and let Mazenod in for two late goals, and allowed them to regain the lead.  We were not finished however, as we pushed the ball forward and Tom Cashion won a free kick and converted after the siren to give us a one point lead going into the last quarter.

 

Jamie (refreshed after his holiday in FNQ) gave a rousing speech at three quarter time and the Panthers responded well.  We started the last quarter strongly.  Scott Royston, who had been outstanding all day, continued his dominance in the ruck.  Kyle Goulding and Dave Bardoel supported him well and we got the jump on Mazenod.  Lumpy kicked his seventh and then big Scotty kicked one to give us a thirteen point lead.  They responded with a goal, but Buzz replied, and the Panthers were fourteen points up.  They got another one back, but the Toners rallied.  Ross Howard got his second, Jordan Lee snapped a great goal from the pocket and Jarrod Lumsden’s eighth put us twenty six points up with eight minutes to go.

 

Mazenod would not give in and gradually pegged back our lead.  They kicked three in a hurry, and we could only manage one point.  With about forty seconds to go they kicked their sixth for the quarter, and it was the desperation and commitment of our players that allowed us to hang on to our three point lead.

 

Next week we play Oakleigh away, and we are looking forward to continuing our winning form

 

OMFC:             4.5  6.10  9.13  15.18 (108)

 

Mazenod:         5.3  8.6  10.6  16.9 (105)

 

Goal Kickers: J. Lumsden 8, D. Bardoel 2 T. Cashion, R. Howard, C. Labrooy, J. Lee, S. Royston

 

Best Players:  J. Lumsden, S. Royston , K. Goulding, D. Bardoel, B. Felsenthal, C. Labrooy